The Gilded Age - Episode Guide

1882. After the death of her father and accompanied by Peggy Scott, Marian Brook travels to New York to live with her aristocratic aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook. Meanwhile, determined to break into society, ruthless tycoon George Russell and his ambitious wife Bertha move their family into a lavish mansion across the street and prepare to throw their first soirée.

Tom Raikes visits New York as Peggy seeks legal advice, Oscar van Rhijn homes in on Gladys Russell and drama rips through a charity bazaar.

An unfortunate development finds George's new rail station under threat, and Marian continues to see Mr Raikes despite Agnes' warnings.

In the aftermath of a tragedy, George agrees to help Bertha, and a visit has a lasting impact on the staff of Russell house.

As Bertha, Marian and Aurora visit Dansville to hear Clara Barton speak, Marian's interest in Mr Raikes grow.

Mr. McAllister's visit to the Russells shakes the aunts' household. George aims to control the narrative. Marian considers her feelings.

As a historic moment captures the city, Agnes vows to protect her family's reputation, while Larry's career plans rub George the wrong way.

As Bertha is reminded of her place on her visit to Newport, George gets his day in court and Peggy reveals the truth about her past.

As Ada and Aurora rush to stop Marian from making a huge decision, Bertha and Mrs Astor's clash impacts all of New York society.

Agnes shares news of her nephew Dashiell's imminent arrival in New York; Bertha decides to back the new Metropolitan Opera House.

George informs Oscar of his decision and sends Clay to meet with union leader Mr Henderson at his steel mill. Elsewhere, Peggy gets welcomed back to 61st Street by almost everyone, and Marian has a new match.

As the opera war heats up, an unlikely guest attends Bertha's Met fundraiser, while Agnes backs Mrs. Astor's effort to preserve the Academy's dominance. Meanwhile, Peggy offers to travel with Mr. Fortune to Alabama to cover a story about the Tuskegee Institute, Ada organizes a special luncheon for Mr. Forte, George attempts to sway Henderson, and Watson considers an offer.

After receiving discouraging news about the Met, Bertha deals with rumors that are swirling about Larry. Fearing her sister's disapproval, Ada asks Marian to cover for her as she continues to see Mr. Forte. Later, Bertha vies for position with the visiting Duke of Buckingham, and, in Tuskegee, Peggy navigates a tense dinner with Mr. Fortune and Booker T. Washington.

While Ada questions whether to move forward without her sister's support, Agnes faces the prospect of living alone. In Newport, Bertha puts the finishing touches on the event of the season as Mrs. Winterton plots her revenge. After experiencing the best of the Tuskegee Institute, Peggy and Mr. Fortune witness the dangers of the South firsthand.

As George heads to Pittsburgh to deal with the potential strike, Bertha learns that the Duke will return for the Metropolitan Opera's opening night. While the staff chip in to help Jack, Bannister tries to retrieve an incriminating letter from the Russell house. Ada and Luke return from their honeymoon and Marian receives an invitation from Dashiell.

Against the backdrop of the biggest event in New York City's history, Bertha reconsiders her loyalty to the Met. Meanwhile, an engagement celebration leaves Marian with doubts, Peggy strives to make a difference in Brooklyn, George strikes a deal with Mr. Henderson, Oscar makes an alarming discovery, and the van Rhijn household reels as Luke's health deteriorates.

The staff question their future at Rhijn's house, just as Peggy questions her future at The New York Globe; Marian confesses her true feelings to Dashiell; the opera war reaches its climax.